Flanging-machine



(No ModeLj A. WILBUR.

FLANGING MACHINE.

No. 274,872. Patented Mar. 27, 1883.

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To alito/1,0m it may concern:

A UNITED STFVFFSl PATENT OFFICF.

ALFRED VILBR, OF -ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA,

FLANGlNGflVlACHlNE.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 274,872, dated March 27, 1883. Y

Application filed March 14, 1882.

Be it known that 1, ALFRED WILBUR, of

` Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a neu7 `and useful Improvement in Flanging- Mamchines; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a side View of m y improved dan ging-machine, the shifting table being raised Land the finished iianged plate being shown in section.` Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine, the shifting table being raised to show the operative parts on its under surface. Figs. 3 and 4 are' face and side views-of the upper iianging-roll, showing its construction. Fig. 5 is a face view of the shifting table. Fig. 6 is a diagram view, illustrating the operation of Athe rolls and shifting table in forming a flan ge; and Fig. 7 is a cross-section ofthe shifting table on the line .fr of Fig. 2.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

My invention relates to machines for forming iianges around circular plates of` metalsuch as boiler-heads and likearticles-it being usually termed outside iian ging. The usual construction of machines for this purpose consists of a pair of rolls mounted in the same vertical plane and extending out from the frame or honsin g, and a shifting table or platform pivoted in front of the rolls and having mounted thereon a revolving disk adjustable longitudinally on the table. The circular metal Vplate is secured to the disk so that its edge extends between the rolls, 'and the rolls are then rotated and the table gradually raised, so that the rolls, biting on theedge of the plate, grada' ally bend it over, forming the ange around the plate, extending out therefrom at whatever angle desired. l

Difficulty has been experienced. in connec tion with the operation of different parts of these machines as heretofore constructed, some of these difficulties being that, as the Hangingl. rolls were necessarily pressed down tight on the plate in order to cause its rotation, they had a tendency to reduce and elongate the edge operated on and to cause it to buckle. The upper roll had also to be adjusted before (No model.)

the operation of iiangin g to the different thick- `nesses of metal plates flanged on the machine, and great friction was created between the flat surface of this roll and the plate, if pressed against it, so thatit was difficultto fqrrn a per-v f fect Bange, and the flat face of the upper roll My invention consists, first, in vhaving the axis of the upper lianging-roll free Ato Amove endwise againstthe resistance of a spring weight or other ldevice to force it up to its work, so that it may be pressed back by the metal plate operated upon as the table to which it is attached is raised, and thus accommodate itself to the thickness of the plate; second, in

forming a series of slightcorrugations on the periphery of the upper Hanging-roll, extending longitudinally across it, to allow the metal in the flange to thicken up as it isbent over, and thus prevent its buckling; third,in providing the upper `roll with a hard-steel front or face, removably secured thereto to receive the prin- .cipal wear, and thus render the roll more dnrable; fourth, in `providing the front or dat face of this roll with aV series of frictionfrollers to overcome the friction between the rollface and thev metal plate pressed against it; fifth, in providing theV shifting table with a 'large idle-roller opposite the lower langingroll, to hold the metal up against and press back the upper ilangiugroll as the table is raised; and, finally, in other details of construction hereinafter speciiically set forth.

To enable 'others skilled inthe art to make and .use my invention, I will describe-its construction and operation. Y

In `the drawings referred to, A represents the frame or housings of my improved machine, having the standards a a and crossbraces a2. In front of the standard c are mounted the two Hanging-rolls B G,their shafts b c being journaled in the standards one above the other, the journalboxes of the IOO lower-roll shaft c resting in seats in the standards and those of the upper-roll shaft I) being supported above them on coil-springs, and the pressure ofthe rolls being regulated by adjusting-screws passing through the standards and pressing against the journal-boxes of the upper-roll shafts. The shafts b c are connectedby pinions b c', and power is communicated to the rolls from` the power-belt ci through pulley d and cog-wheels d2 di. The upper-roll shaft b has a slightV longitudinal movement in its bearings as well as a rotary motion therein, the shaft or axis of the roll being free to move endwise, and between its rear journal-box and the pinion b or other suitable stop thereon is the spiral springe, which. by pressing on the pinion or stop, holds the roll B in its forward position, and yet ,j ields to any longitudinal pressureagainst the roll, and thus enables it to accommodate itself to any thickness of plate operated upon without any special adjustment of the roll. The force of the spring is regulated so as to hold the roll tight against the plate and enable it to form a neat and properly bent flange. Instead of the spring e, any other equivalent means for cushioning the roll-such as lever mechanism, a weight, or an air-cushion-may be employed to accomplish the same result. The rolls are formed of cast metal, and the periphery of the lower roll is plain, it being generally made of the saine diameter throughout and its front edge being square. The upper roll is provided with a hardened steel face, h, which provides a hardened rim around its forward edge at the point which is subjected to the heaviest wear. This hardened-steel face is removably secured to the roll, it being bolted or screwed thereon, and it can be removed and replaced when worn, thus'doubling or trebling the durability of the roll. The forward edge of the roll is curved according to the curve to be imparted to the bend or angle of the plate, and -the curved or beveled edge may be formed entirely 011 the removable steel face. The upper roll, B, is provided with slight depressions, extending longitudinally across its periphery, forming the corrugated surface f, and this corrugated surface enables the roll to catch upon the metal plate without being screwed down so tightly, as well as serves lto crimp the inner side of the flange as it is bent up, and aid its thickening up regularly around the entire flange, overcoming entirely its liability to buckle.

In order to prevent any friction between the metal plate operated on and the fiat face of the roll B and the scoring of the plate by the v roll, a series of friction-rollers, g, are sunken into this roll and extend slightly beyond its face, and the metal plate presses against these rollers when bent up against the roll, so that the rotation of the roll is in no way impeded by the plate, and. the plate is held out from the roll bythe friction-rollers. The rollers g are easily secured in place by means of the hardened-steel face h.

The shifting table or platform 7c is pivoted at l Zeit-her to the standard a of the frame or to a separate standard in front of it. lt is formed of the cast -metal body m, and the wrought-metal plate or cover n, secured thereto, being constructed in this manner to lighten it and prevent its fracture by falling or by any heavy weight dropping upon it, as has frequently been the case where the table is formed-entirely of cast metal. I have found that by this construction of table its weight is reduced at least one-halt', and the wrought-metal face so braces the cast-metalI body as to greatly lessen its liability to fracture, while the cast-metal bodyimparts to the table its necessary rigidity.

Mounted in suitable bearings at the i'rontof the table k, opposite and having its periphery level with the lower roll, C, is the large idleroller p. This roller is so mounted that its edge is on the pivotal line of the table, and it' supports the' metal plate in front of the rolls and presses it up against the curved or beveled edgeof the upper roller as the table-is raised, so that the metal at the curve of the plate is confined between this roller and the upper roll, while the flange is between the two rolls. It thus supports and presses the metal to place and forms a true and regular curve, conforming in shape to the curved edge of the upper roll. The shifting table is also provided with a series of small idle-rollers, k', at different points around'the table, these rollers serving, in conjunction with the large roller p, to support the plate held on the revolving disk above the table and permit its easy movement thereon.

Extending longitudinally along the center,

of the table is the slot q, in which the revolving disk r is mounted, being slid along this slot to adjust it to the size of the metal plate to be operated upon. This disk rhas a cylindrical extension or arbor extending from it through a journal-box, s, and an annular flange, 1", at the base of the cylindrical extension to retain it within the journal-box. The journal-box s is made in two halves, which tit around the cylindrical extension of the disk, and one part of which has a lip, s', fitting under one side ofthe slot q.

Underneath the table, and having one end pivoted at the back of the table, is the bearingbar t, the bearing-face of which extends along the slot q and ts within a recess on the side of the journal-box, pressing the box between it and one side of the slot. The other end of the bar t ts around the screw-bar t', the threaded portion of which extends through a nut, t2, secured to the under surface of the table, and the head t3 of which extends out to the side of the table in convenient position for turning. When it is desired to move the disk r the screw is loosened, thus relieving the pressure ot' the bar t on the journal-box; and the disk will then slide freely to Whatever position held by tightening up the screw, thus clamp- IIO IZS

ing the journal-box between the bearing-bar and the opposite side of the slot q. Ifthe ar-A borof the diskis expanded by the heatof the plate secured to it, by slipping thetpartible box along to one end ot'` the slot, where an en largement, q', is formed in the slot, it can be raisedout ot the table and opened,when the disk may be removed. The plate to be operated upon is secured to the disk by a bolt, u, passing through the centerot the disk and locked underneath the table.

The shifting table k-may be raised in any desired way, by power applied-'either beneath or above the table. The means preferred by me is a chain or wire rpe, 7a2, attached to the end ot' the table and passing over a pulley (not shown) supported` above and back of the machine, and from thence to a wndlass or spool. .h

j, mounted back of the frame A and operated from the power-belt d through the pinions t t and clutch w. The table can be gradually `lowered by means ot a brake on thewindlass or spool. Y

The operation ot' my improved Hanging-machine is as follows: The upper Hanging-roll, B,

' tween the Hanging-rolls B (l anda bolt pass-` may either be mounted slightly forward ofthe lower roll, C, so that when pressed back, as hereinafter described, its face is even with that ofthe lower roll, or the faces of the rolls may be even and the upper roll be pressed back of the lower roll. The circular plate to be flanged isV brought to the proper heat and then placed on the shifting table, itsedge extending being through a hole in the center of the plate,

and securing it` to the disk r.- The rolls are,

then screwed down on the plate and set in motion. The table is then gradually raised, and as the rolls bite upon the edge 'ot' the plate they bend it over, forming the flange around it. On account ot' the corrugated surface of the upper roll, it catches upon the plate` and causes its rotation without the rolls binding too tightly upon it, so that the rolls have no tendency to reduce or elongate the edge, and

the corrugated surface tof the roll also crimps the inner surface of the flange at` regular intervals, and thus aids it in thickening up and taking up all the excess of metal caused by the bending over ot' the llange, and overcomes all tendency to buckle. This crimped inner surface of the plate can be rolled oft' by permitting the rotation'ot' `the plate a short time after the flan ge is formed. During the bending of the dan ge the idle-roller p on the shiftingtable, pressing against the outersurface of the plate, contines `it between the roller and the upper roll and holds the plate upagainstthe roll, so that the plate conforms exactly to the curved edge of the upper roll, thus forming an evenly bent llange around the entire plate. As it and the small idle-rollers k travel with the plate, they also overcome all friction between the plate and thetable. When the plate is bent up against the face of the upper roll the pressure of the` large idle-roller presses the upperroll back the thickness of the plate, the

c spring e on the roll-shaftb permitting the roll l tially as set forth. Y

to accommodateitselt' to the thickness of the plate, and thus doing away-with any special adjustment of the roll, according to the thickness of the plate operated upon. plate is pressed against the face of the upper roll all friction between the plate andA roll or scoring of the plate by the roll is prevented by the idle-rollers g on the face ot' theV roll. As

the weightot' the shifting table is reduced, and i again locked in that position b v the .bearingbar. lt the arbor of the disk rshonld become so expanded by the heat from the plate that it will not rotate freely, the disk can be easily exchanged t'or another by sliding it to the end of the slot, removing it therefrom, and opening the partible box s.

I have described myim proved apparatus in connection with a machine in which the flang- `ing-rolls are mounted in a stationary frame and the table supporting the plate is raised to hem the ange. It is evident, however, that the improvements are applicable to machines in which the shifting table moves in another direction; or the rolls themselves are mounted in` a shifting frame. rIhe relative position of the apparatus as claimed by me "would ot' course be changed in these constructions of machines, and when so used are considered equally within my invention.

What I claim4 as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In langing-machines, the combination, with the two Hanging-rolls B C, the shaft ot' the upper roll, B, being longitudinally mov- When the IOO IIO

able in its bearings, of the springe, or a weight `2. 1n machines for flanging circular metal` plates, the combination of the rotary tlangingrolls B C, the upper tlangingrolh B, having its shaft or axis free to move endwise against the-resistance of a spring, Weight, or other mechanism applied to force it up to its work, and the pivoted shifting table k, said table being adapted, when raised, to press back the upper roll and cause it to accommodateitself to the thickness ofthe plate hanged, substan- 3. In machines for tlanging circular metal plates, the combination of the rotary tlangingrolls `B C, in which the upper roll, B, is provided with a series of` slight corrugations, f, extending longitudinally across its periphery to catch upon the metal and aid its thickening up as the flange is bent, substantially as "set forth. i

et. In tlanging-machines, the n pper Hangingroll, formed of cast metal, and having the removable hardened-steel front or face h, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

5. In Hanging-machines, the upper tiangingroll having a series ot' friction-rollers on its front or face, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In flanging-machines, the pivoted shifting table, formed of the cast-metal body and wrought-metal top or cover secured thereto, substantially-as and for the purposes set forth..

7. In machines for flanging circular metal plates, the combination of the rotary HangingrollsB G, the. upper Hanging-roll, B, having its shaft or axis free to move endwise against the resistance ofaspring,weight, or other mechanism to force it up to its work, and the pivoted shifting table k, carrying the large idleroller p, mounted therein opposite the lower Hanging-roll, said idle-roller being adapted, on the raising of the table, to press back the upper roll and cause it to accommodatev itself to the thickness of the plate flanged, substantially as set forth.

8. In Hanging-machines, the combination,

with two anging-rolls, B C, of the pivoted shifting table 7c, having the large idle-roller p mounted therein opposite the lower langingroll and series of idle-rollers 7c', and the disk r, longitudinally adjustable in said table, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination of the disk r, mounted in a' j ournal-box, s, within the longitudinal slot q ofthe shifting table, with the bearing-bar t,

"extending along said slot and adapted to clamp the journal-box against the side'of the slot, substantially as set forth.

10. In combination, with the table having the longitudinal slot q, the rotary disk i and partible journal-box s, fitting around the arbor of said disk and sliding within the slot of the table, substantially as "and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said ALFRED WILBUR, have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED WILBUR.

Witnesses:

F. G. KAY, J AMES I. KAY. 

